A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department announced that the Green Tech Fund (GTF), established with a $200 million Government allocation, is open for applications from today (December 11). The deadline for the first round of applications is February 22, 2021.
"The GTF aims to provide better and more focused funding support to research and development (R&D) projects which can help Hong Kong decarbonise and enhance environmental protection. This will give new impetus to deep decarbonisation and the development of green technologies, and can help the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region pursue the target of striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, as announced in this year's Policy Address. The GTF has a number of notable features. It sets clear themes, is user-friendly, caters to a wide range of applicants and emphasises practical application," the spokesman said.
- Clear themes – priority will be given to projects in four areas, namely decarbonisation and energy saving, green transport, waste management, and air and water quality;
- User-friendly – the amount of funding for each project ranges from $2.5 million to $30 million. Each project may last up to five years. Application procedures are streamlined as far as possible;
- Wide range of applicants – projects of local public research institutes and R&D centres will be fully funded, while projects of private research institutes will get grants on a matching basis; and
- Emphasis on practical application – the GTF has an online platform to share and promote project outcomes, in order to encourage further development and practical application.
"We welcome and encourage R&D institutes to apply for the GTF to develop low-carbon and green technologies that cater for the needs of Hong Kong's environment and market, with a view to making Hong Kong a sustainable and livable city," the spokesman added.
Interested R&D institutes can submit online applications on the website of the GTF (www.gtf.gov.hk/en). Please visit the GTF website or call 3150 8197/2594 6509 for details.
The GTF Secretariat will organise a webinar on January 5, 2021, to introduce the application procedures and priority themes of the GTF. Interested organisations are welcome to register for the webinar on the GTF website.
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